Few Belgian employees return to work gradually after illness

Belgium's 'progressive return to work' program, designed to help employees reintegrate after illness, is seeing minimal uptake, according to recent data. Only about 10% of workers on sick leave for less than a year are utilizing the option to return to work part-time or in an adapted capacity.

“

I hope that employers will respond to the call.

Lawmaker Nahima Lanjri highlighted the stagnation in these figures over the past three years. For those on sick leave for over a year, the rate of progressive return is even lower, at just over 20%. Lanjri expressed concern that this lack of progress leaves many individuals dependent on sick pay without clear prospects, which can be detrimental to their well-being.

“

We have every interest in strengthening support towards the labor market, even in times of labor shortages in companies and budget restrictions.

Lanjri stressed that this situation represents a significant missed opportunity, especially given current labor shortages and budget constraints. She argued that strengthening support for employees seeking to rejoin the workforce is in everyone's best interest. Her party plans to raise this issue during federal budget negotiations, aiming to improve the system and reduce undue reliance on social benefits.

“

A sick person is sick. But we cannot tolerate that people remain unduly dependent on allocations, nor abandon people with work potential.